UPDATE: July 3rd, 2011
Well, I have to say this is a really good deal. I have just had to replace the batteries in the handset. I put new ones in the collar at the same time. Another Amazon dealer MYBATTERYSUPPLIER has a great deal on batteries and free shipping. You will need to order two cards as they have 5 on a card and the handset uses two at a time. Not connected with either company, just a happy customer.
The people complaining about short battery life are probably not using this correctly. I use this daily and it only takes about a 1/2 second click to get the dog's attention. Once you have that, then you can instruct with a command. I think people must be using this thing like a club and beating the dog up with it. Don't forget that after a battery change you need to "link" the handset and collar so save the instructions.
The 300 Meter range is well believable. I am only guessing the distance but around 900-feet has worked several times, thanks largely to the 12v handset. In transmitting, voltage is everything. Once he was chasing after three Coyotes and had I not had the control, he would have been a goner with several Coyotes on him. Fortunately after a quick zap he turned and ran back to me.
A couple of minor dislikes. The standby period on the handset is very short at about 2 minutes. The collar has a movement sensor so it is on all the time the dog is moving. To revive the handset you have to hold down a button for 10 seconds and that can be a long wait when you need it urgently. I now check the display and if it has just gone off, a quick click of the Mode button revives it instantly. I'd like to see a switch or a longer shut-off delay.
The other thing is the battery cover on the handset keeps falling off. I now have some sticky tape to hold it on. Not that big a deal since it looks like I am getting about a months work out of a set of batteries, I can afford an inch of sticky tape each time.
I still rate it at 5-stars.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: May 26th, 2011
Really fast shipping to my PO box. Instructions are clear and easily readable. I bought this to replace a $140 Name-Brand one with rechargeable batteries. The built-in battery in the collar died within 3 months and Name-Brand wanted $40 for a replacement as batteries have no warranty.
This unit came with all the batteries needed and it was ready to use in about 2 minutes. Make sure you FIRST read how to "link" the handset with the collar. It is simple to do, but will save frustration if you do not first link the two things electrically. To check the "link," press the "Mode" button for Vibrate and set the level at 10. Press the "Launch" button and watch it dance on the desk. If it doesn't dance then go back and "link" again. You will have to link with every battery change on the collar, but not on the handset. It's a single button click so no big deal.
I set the Static level to 5, put my fingers across the pins on the collar and pressed the "Launch" button on the handset. There is a tiny delay, maybe quarter of a second then the zap. It comes with a test light but I like testing these things with my fingers to see how high or low the numbers adjust the intensity. I figure if I am going to zap the dog it is only fair I get the occasional zap too, albeit at a lower level than the dog.
Both collar and handset have auto-off. You need to hold down the "Mode" button on the handset for 10-secs to wake it. The collar needs a little shake, just picking it up is not enough to wake it. Once it is on the dog it will be no problem wake up or stay awake. :)
I attached the collar to the dog (stubborn 80-lb Lab-Pit mix, but the sweetest guy) and off we went. I set the handset at 20 and gave a burst. The dog was startled but did not yelp. I went up by 10 until he yelped and then came back 10 and left it at that setting.
Normally I don't need to use the zapper as he responds to voice and treat commands really well, but we live out in the country on 160 acres with rabbits, snakes, lizards, mice, gophers, Coyotes etc. Unfortunately they are all too much of a distraction for the dog so I need the zapper for those times just to grab his attention. We did some training and he responded brilliantly with three rabbits and the lizard we encountered.
If you have never used or been shown how to use these types of trainers please go to YouTube etc and watch some videos as they need only be used very sparingly. They are used to get the dog's attention, not to punish him/her for not doing something. Treats are used to get them to do whatever you want them to do. So, basically it is Zap, Command and treat on completion. Most times the zap will not be needed unless they have lost focus. A dog's attention span is 1 second or 1 step whichever comes first.
It's only been two days, but already I am happy to give it five stars. I have no problems recommending this unit and the Amazon retailer.